Australian aid funding should provide for such things as food, clean water, sanitation, and community development rather than being redirected to pay for abortion advice and services according to the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL).

ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace said that the pro-abortion agenda should not be foisted onto Australia’s aid program.

“Australia has a sound policy in this area, which is very much in keeping with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which provides for the special protection of children both before and after birth. The UN does not recognise abortion as a human right but instead affirms the rights of children and mothers to special care and assistance,” Mr Wallace said.

“To change this policy would go against the rights of children, divert important aid resources, and could lead to situations where Australia would become party to abhorrent population control measures which further devalue human life.”

Mr Wallace’s comments were made in response to a push from a group of Federal MPs to overturn the longstanding Federal Government policy which prevents Australian aid money from being used on abortion advice, services and drugs. The current policy does provide for safe and effective family planning methods.

“We shouldn’t allow those with a pro-abortion agenda to corrupt the intent of fundamental international instruments such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,” Mr Wallace said.

“Concerns over the mortality rate of women in relation to pregnancy and childbirth in developing countries would be far more effectively addressed through better standards of medical care, as well as better nutrition, sanitation and adequate clean water.”